(Jacob Resnick/Mets Minors)
According to various reports, the Mets have traded SS Milton Ramos to the Baltimore Orioles, in exchange for extra money to spend in international free agency. Ramos, who was in the midst of his second season with the Columbia Fireflies, will report to the Delmarva Shorebirds, Baltimore’s equivalent affiliate.
Ramos, 21, was the Mets’ third-round selection in the 2014 draft from high school in Florida, but his play on the field has yet to live up to what is usually expected from someone picked in that spot. While his highly touted glove has flashed elite at times, Ramos’ offense has really held him back. A .220/.292/.273 line in 2016 was enough to force a repeat at Columbia this year. He finishes his Mets career with a .242 average and 202 strikeouts in 269 games.
Swapping minor leaguers for international bonus money is hardly a new maneuver for this organization, and, for the first time, the trade was not made with the Los Angeles Angels. In 2013, the Mets flipped Julio Concepcion and Andres Perez to the Angels for one slot, and in 2015, it was Gaither Bumgardner who was sent to the Halos. All three players did not pitch professionally after the season in which they were traded.
